Karl Henry has heaped praise on QPR youngster Olamide Shodipo, insisting the “lack of fear” him and the other youngsters at the club are showing can only be a good thing for the first team.

The 33-year-old midfielder says it has been a long time coming seeing academy players flourishing in the first-team at Loftus Road, and believes Shodipo, who is currently on international duty with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s, is the pick of the crop.

He told the Times: “It’s really good for QPR. It’s been something that the fans have wanted to see, and it’s been well documented that hardly any players have come through from the youth sytem here.

“It’s good to see the young lads pushing on and regularly in and around the first team.

“That lack of fear these young lads have is evident when they are on the pitch, and I think that’s a big plus for us as the more experienced lads may not take those risks, but they’re willing to so that’s great.

“Mide’s got a slight figure, he’s not a particularly big lad, but when he gets going he’s very difficult to get the ball off and he attacks really well down that right-hand side.

“He’s direct, has plenty of pace and his final ball is improving game-by-game, so he should be really pleased with the progress he is making - he’s really impressed me.”